hi doc, how long duovir-n takes to start the side effect of lipodystrophy? is it a permanent disfigurement without any available surgery or management?

Response from Dr. Henry

Lipodystrophy (fat gain or loss) from HIV medications can be seen with Duovir-N (the most likely component would be zidovudine or AZT). AZT is most associated with fat loss which if severe can be tough to reverse so best to try to switch to alternative medication (though often not available ) such as tenofovir or abacavir instead to the AZT if that is at all possible. Rate of development of serious fat loss is highly variable but often takes many years (some patients may be genetically susceptible or resistant to that problem) and tends to occur in perhaps half of more of patients over a long period of time. KH

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